Growing Chickpeas in Elgeyo Marakwet

Soil suitability analysis based on Elgeyo Marakwet's nutrient profile

Chickpeas can be grown in Elgeyo Marakwet County, but the soil scores 45/100 and needs targeted management to reach full potential. Local soils average pH 6.27 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 5.5–8 band Chickpeas prefers, so no lime is usually required. Nitrogen (1.39 g/kg), phosphorus (22.2 mg/kg) and potassium (213 mg/kg) all meet Chickpeas's requirements, so a maintenance fertilizer programme is enough. The county's predominantly clay loam soils suit Chickpeas, which favours sandy loam. At current prices (about KES 200/kg) and a typical 500 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Chickpeas crop here can gross roughly KES 100,000 per acre.